Signatures of dynamical processes in Raman lidar profiles of the atmosphere
Document ID: 242
Philbrick, C. Russell1,2
Hallen, Hans D.1
1 North Carolina State University, Department of Physics, Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.
2 North Carolina State University, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.
Abstract
Raman lidar measurements provide profiles of several different tracers of spatial and temporal variations, which are excellent signatures for studies of dynamical processes in the atmosphere. An examination of Raman lidar data collected during the last four decades clearly show signatures of atmospheric planetary waves, gravity waves, low-level jets, weather fronts, turbulence from wind shear at surfaces and at the interface of the boundary layer with the free troposphere. Water vapor profiles are found to be important as a tracer of the sources of turbulence eddies associated with thermal convection, pressure waves, and wind shears, which result from surface heating, winds, weather systems, orographic forcing, and regions of reduced atmospheric stability. Examples of these processes are selected to show the influence of turbulence on profiles of atmospheric properties. Turbulence eddies generated in the wind shear region near the top of the boundary layer are found to mix into the atmospheric boundary layer. Results from several prior research projects are examined to gain a better understanding of processes impacting optical propagation through the many sources of turbulence observed in the lower atmosphere. Advances in lasers, detectors, and particularly in high-speed electronics now available are expected to provide important opportunities to improve our understanding of the formation processes, as well as for tracking of the sources and dissipation of turbulence eddies.
Keywords: Raman lidar, troposphere, turbulence, boundary layer, water vapor profile, dynamics signatures, water spouts
| Citation: | "Signatures of dynamical processes in Raman lidar profiles of the atmosphere", Philbrick, C. R., H. D. Hallen, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXII, Vol. 10191, SPIE Proceedings, 2017, pp. 101910E-1 - 101910E-11, DOI: 10.1117/12.2262583, CCC: 0277-786X/17 |